Pot-bellied Pakistani policemen told to slim down

Pot-bellied Pakistani policemen have been told to slim down or face being relegated to desk work as part of a fitness drive to ensure officers are capable of chasing criminals without running out of puff.

Senior officers in Punjab, the country's most populous province, have given all 175,000 officers until the end of the month to get their waistlines down to 38 inches or less.

The move follows a survey that found some 77 per cent of officers in the city of Rawalpindi were overweight.

Azhar Hameed Khokhar, the Deputy Inspector General of Rawalpindi Police, said the crackdown was a good idea.

"Officers are often working 12 hours a day. That does not leave much time over to look after yourself, to go for a walk or play some sport," said Mr Khokhar, adding that his 38in waist meant he nothing to worry about. "If this can help that must be good.

"And it's not just police officers. It's the same everywhere. People have cars, motorbikes and are doing less exercise."